India, while undermining the Indus Waters Treaty, has launched what is being described as a “water war” against Pakistan through the controversial Chenab–Beas link tunnel project. Under this $23.5 billion project in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahul-Spiti region, a 9-kilometre tunnel is planned to divert around 2 million acre-feet of water annually from the Chenab River into the Beas River, with completion scheduled for July 2029. Under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan’s rights over the western rivers—Chenab, Jhelum and Indus—were recognised. Critics argue that this move violates the spirit of the treaty as well as international legal frameworks, including the UN Watercourses Convention 1997 and Article 60 of the Vienna Convention 1969. Pakistan, therefore, should urgently pursue legal and diplomatic options, including seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, to challenge the project and safeguard its water rights.
When the Indus Waters Treaty was signed, the then President of the World Bank, Eugene Robert Black, made extraordinary personal efforts to initiate the Indus Basin Development Project. Under the Indus Basin Development Fund Agreement, the United States provided $247 million, Germany $126 million as grants, the World Bank $80 million as loans, Canada $22.1 million, the United Kingdom $20.86 million, Australia $6.97 million, New Zealand $1 million and India also contributed $62.06 million. The project included two major storage dams, six barrages, eight link canals, a drainage system, roads and other infrastructure. These were completed on time without corruption. Mangla Dam stands as a prime example of institutional capacity. Tarbela Dam became the world’s largest earth-filled dam. After the completion of the Tarbela Dam, Pakistan’s average annual GDP growth exceeded 7%, then among the highest in Asia.
Interestingly, the WAPDA House in Lahore is also a legacy of this great project. The most notable success of Mr Black’s initiative was its exceptional efficiency. Mangla Dam was completed in just six years and Tarbela Dam in eight years. These projects were completed with the help of local construction institutions and engineering design consultants. Later, it became our misfortune that the 969 MW Neelum-Jhelum project has remained shut since 2022 due to the discovery of technical faults and poor-quality construction materials. The Diamer-Bhasha Dam, whose inauguration was carried out by President Pervez Musharraf in 2006, is still delayed in 2026. In contrast, Tarbela and Mangla dams were completed on time despite limited technology.
If India attempts to divert the waters of the Chenab River towards the Ravi or the Beas, it should be held accountable to Pakistan as well as to all those countries that invested in the project. The Indus Waters Treaty is not a favour but an international commitment; therefore, India cannot unilaterally suspend it due to its binding global obligations and financial contributions to the international community. A key question arises: who will raise this legal point at the global level? If Pakistan remains silent, the issue should be taken to the United Nations and other international bodies. At the same time, reflection is needed on how opposition to the Kalabagh Dam deprived the country of water storage and cheap electricity, contributing to energy crises, fuel dependence and flood disasters, while external influences, NGOs and media neglect of critical water and energy issues have further harmed national interests.
At present, the homeland faces severe water scarcity. Despite being an agricultural country, both urban and rural areas are suffering from water shortages. The main reasons include heavily silted reservoirs, rapidly declining groundwater levels and increasing dependence on tanker mafias for survival. Meanwhile, dams such as Tarbela, Mangla, Warsak, Mirani, Hub, Khanpur, Satpara, Rawal, Gomal Zam and Neelum-Jhelum have lost a significant portion of their water storage capacity. The continuous accumulation of silt is directly affecting electricity production, drinking water supply and industrial activity. Unfortunately, the response of relevant institutions has largely remained limited to statements and promises.
Countries like China, Turkey and the US use modern methods for dam cleaning and maintenance, whereas many dams in Pakistan have never undergone comprehensive cleaning since construction, even as conditions in cities like Islamabad remain alarming and powerful tanker mafias exploit water scarcity as a profitable business. Another major reason for water shortage is the failure to store rainwater, as modern rainwater harvesting systems remain largely limited to seminars and plans despite expert recommendations and minimal implementation. In cities like Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta, millions of gallons of rainwater are wasted annually. Adoption of modern storage systems could improve groundwater levels and control scarcity, while the construction of small dams is also an urgent necessity for irrigation, groundwater recharge and electricity generation.
According to experts, the immediate declaration of a national water emergency in Pakistan has become essential, under which all major dams should be cleaned and desilted, rainwater storage systems should be implemented, strict action should be taken against tanker mafias, and greater attention should be given to the construction of small dams across the country. Another bitter reality is Pakistan’s growing population; once considered water-rich, the country now faces a dangerous decline in water availability that, if continued, could threaten food security, public health, the economy, and even national security. Climate change has further worsened the situation, with rapidly melting glaciers and changing rainfall patterns intensifying the crisis.
Unfortunately, there is still no effective national campaign to prevent water wastage. The government, media, experts, educational institutions and society must jointly launch a national campaign for water conservation. If timely and serious steps are not taken, future generations will never forgive us. Pakistan does not need political slogans but practical actions. Water is life, and protecting life is essential. Therefore, it is time to make immediate, strict and effective national-level decisions.